horrific

adjective

hor·​rif·​ic hȯ-ˈri-fik 

hä-

: having the power to horrify

a horrific account of the tragedy

horrifically

hȯ-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē 

hä-

adverb

Synonyms

• gruesome
• shocking
• horrible
• terrible
• nightmare
• horrifying
• frightening

Examples of horrific in a Sentence

horrific images of the devastation spurred many people to give generously

Recent Examples on the Web

The Yogurt Shop Murders is based on a true story of a horrific crime back in 1991, one that many people may not have heard of. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

The situation for the hostages is absolutely horrific as well. —ABC News, 3 Aug. 2025

Bunny-Man then embarks on a mission to expose those responsible for this horrific crime and confront a corrupt system. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 31 July 2025

Then, in midtown Manhattan on Monday, Tamura’s apparent downward spiral reached a horrific climax. —Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; French horrifique, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin horrificus "inspiring awe or dread, frightening," from horrēre "to be stiffly erect, bristle, shudder, shiver" + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic — more at horror entry 1

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horrific

• pacific
• prolific
• salvific
• specific
• terrific
• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• honorific
• nonspecific
• scientific
• soporific